With the support of the Chinese government and the people of the
country, work on all aspects of the Olympic Games preparations is moving forward
smoothly as planned, according to the Beijing Organizing Committee
for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG).
While addressing a press conference in Beijing today, Wang Wei,
BOCOG executive vice president and secretary-general, and Jiang
Xiaoyu, BOCOG executive vice president, gave an update on the
preparations for the 2008 Games.
"It's our solemn commitment to the whole world to hold a
high-level Olympic Games with distinguishing features," Wang Wei
explained to the media attending the briefing. "That's also the
request and expectation of the Chinese government and people."
"One World, One Dream" is the theme, the slogan and soul of the
Beijing Olympic Games. "Green Olympics, High-tech Olympics and
People's Olympics" are the three concepts which provide the very
keys to the event.
According to Wang Wei, following the establishment of the
Beijing Olympic Media and Communications Coordination Group and
Security Coordination Group, the Foreign Affairs Coordination
Group, Beijing Capital International Airport Coordination Group,
Olympic Torch Relay Leading Group and Opening and Closing
Ceremonies Leading Group for the Games were all set up this year.
They have provided a firm foundation and guarantee smooth
operations in all relevant areas in terms of organization and
delivery.
In addition, the Beijing municipal government has established
the Beijing 2008 Construction Headquarters Office, the Beijing 2008
Environment Construction Headquarters Office and the Olympic
Legislation Coordination Group in succession to oversee venue
construction, urban environmental protection and Games-time policy
research respectively.
People from all walks of life have been actively involved in the
preparatory work such as marketing, the solicitation of the Olympic
emblem, theme slogan, mascot and songs for the Games, Wang said,
adding that society as a whole were enthusiastic to participate in
the preparation for the Games.
He illustrated the preparatory work involved in the Games
thus:
Olympic venue construction proceeds smoothly. Beijing requires
37 competition and 76 training venues for the 2008 Olympic Games.
Construction of 15 new competition venues has been started. Main
structures of some key venues have been completed. The construction
of the Olympic Village and other facilities progresses smoothly.
Renovation and expansion of some of the existing facilities as well
as provision of temporary venues is underway and the renovation
projects for the rest of the existing competition venues will begin
by the end of the year.
Work on competition organization is moving forward at a steady
pace. Competition Schedule by Day and Competition Schedule by
Session have been worked out. Competition managers for 28 events
have been identified. Training venues for most sports have been
defined. Games preparation in co-host cities is also progressing
smoothly and the Olympic Equestrian Committee has been established
in Hong Kong. Prior to the Olympic Games, Beijing will host a
number of test events. At present, the relevant departments of
Beijing and Qingdao municipalities are preparing two such
events?-- the International Softball Federation XI Women's
World Championship and an International Sailing Regatta which will
take place in August.
Preparation for the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games is going on at
the same time. Coordination and communication with the
International Paralympic Committee has been enhanced. Working teams
and mechanisms for the Beijing Paralympic Games have been
established. Following the unveiling of the emblem for the
Paralympic Games, construction of easy to use facilities for those
with disabilities continues as planned. Paralympic marketing is
underway. So far 22 domestic and overseas enterprises have become
Partners or Sponsors of the Paralympic Games. The mascot for the
Games will be made public on September 6 which is the day the
two-year countdown to the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games
commences.?
Marketing efforts have paid off. Apart from 11 IOC's Worldwide
Olympic Partners who'll offer financial and service support to the
Beijing Olympic Games, another 11 Chinese and overseas companies
have become Partners of the Games. In addition, nine Chinese and
foreign enterprises were selected as the Sponsors of the Games. Six
Exclusive Suppliers and one Supplier are identified.
Communications and cultural activities have seen good results.
The achievements in this respect included the unveiling of the Olympic Games emblem, the theme slogan and the
"Friendlies" mascots. Four Olympic Cultural
Festivals have been organized and the core team and guidelines for
the opening and closing ceremonies established. Work on the Torch
Relay is moving forward smoothly. The Torch Relay will focus on
domestic areas and involve overseas cities as well. In addition,
Beijing 2008 Olympic Education Program for Primary and Secondary
School Students has been launched, with 200 model schools
designated for the Program. The Olympic Volunteers Program will be
launched in late August to officially start recruitment and
training of volunteers.
Media and Games services upgraded. The First World Press
Briefing and the Second World Broadcasters Meeting will be held
soon in Beijing. A well conceived security plan has been developed
to ensure a safe Olympic Games. Progress has also been made in all
the areas of Games Services such as transport, accommodation,
catering, accreditation and the like.
City Operations officially inaugurated. A City Operation Liaison
Officer, a City Look Liaison Officer and a Culture and
Entertainment Liaison Officer have been appointed. The concept for
City Operations has been formulated which defined the goals, tasks,
coordination, resources and organizational structure for the
Games-time City Operations. Currently, BOCOG is working with
related districts, counties and other government agencies of
Beijing on the tasks to ensure successful venue operations and
periphery support.
"In the coming two years we'll act in line with the instructions
about the Games preparation set by the Chinese government and
further intensify the work in all aspects," said Wang. He welcomed
the wider attention and participation of the public in the Games
preparation.
(China.org.cn August 8, 2006)
